slowly into stride, always towards rear
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
mid-division, weakened 3f out, eased final 2f
led for 2f, remained handy until driven and weakened 2f out
led after 2f, made rest, held on gamely final furlong
always towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, stayed on one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f
in rear, ridden halfway, not pace to challenge
DEVOTION TO DUTY is our idea of the most likely winner with Gold Maha and Decision the alternatives. Barry Hills' charge has held entries in much better races than this in the past and while an entry in the King Edward VII Stakes may be somewhat fanciful, the fact that he is still in the race suggests that he must have shown something at home. Gold Maha was well held behind Multiplication in a Warwick maiden. The stewards took a dim view of the ride given and consequently suspended the rider concerned. Decision is overdue a win and he did little wrong when second in a decent Newbury handicap. Saxona won a bumper at Towcester for connections and is now attempting to do a Turbo Linn in making her way successfully on the flat. Sanctuary is related to a number of middle distance winners in Germany and he should improve for a considerate ride on debut. Sleepy Silver looked modest under National Hunt rules. Andy Haynes has his string in good form so Tesserae is noted in despatches. Devotion To Duty could be a class above these and he is recommended accordingly.
Carsington 100-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, raced keenly, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Bold Addition (10-9) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (4) gs.
Saxona (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, riddene out, won at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf beating The Grassy (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sleepy Silver 12-1 (10-6) In touch, lost place after 6f, in rear after, 8th of 12, 19l behind Flexi Time (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gf in Apr.
Decision 14-1 (7-13) Led, stayed on gamely when pressed over 1f out, driven and caught final strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind Aqwaal (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Dwelt and behind, chased along over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 31l behind South Easter (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
Nouailhas 100-1 (8-11) Soon steadied, held up, raced keenly, hung left 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 19l behind Standpoint (9-0) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) fm.
Sanctuary 40-1 (9-3) Behind, switched right and headway over 1f out, driven and kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Leceile (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Gold Maha 7-2 (8-11) Prominent, raced keenly, weakening when eased inside final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 9l behind Multiplication (8-11) at Warwick 1m 3f fll mdn stks (5) gf.
Oke Bay 80-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always rear, last of 11, 32l behind Rosika (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) gd in Apr.
Tesserae 66-1 (8-6) Steadied start, mid-division, ridden and one pace from 2f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind Akmal (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gd.
Cottonfields (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Steadied start, raced keenly in rear, close enough entering final 2f, no extra and not troubled leaders over 1f out, 7th of 9, 5l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs.
